Topline
Billionaire Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will be fined $250,000 by the NFL after he appeared to flash his middle finger at fans during his team’s game against the New York Jets on Sunday, the league confirmed to Forbes in an email, though Jones has said the “unfortunate” gesture was “inadvertent.”
Jones has owned the Cowboys since 1989. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Key Facts
The $250,000 fine, which was first reported by ESPN can be appealed, according to the NFL.
Videos on social media appear to show Jones giving a thumbs up to fans during the Cowboys’ away game at Metlife Stadium before directing his eyesight lower, flashing his middle finger and then pointing his index finger at fans.
Jones told Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday the gesture was “inadvertent.”
Jones added the gesture was made after the Cowboys scored a touchdown, noting, “There wasn’t any antagonistic issue or anything like that, I just put up the wrong show on the hand.”
It is also unclear whether Jones, who is also the Cowboys team president and general manager, violated a specific NFL rule or policy, though the league says fines are used as a “last resort” when disciplining violations.
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Forbes Valuation
We estimate Jones and his family’s collective net worth at $20.7 billion. Jones bought the Cowboys in 1989 for $150 million. The team is now worth an estimated $13 billion, making it the most valuable team in the NFL, according to Forbes.
Big Number
0.0012%. That is the share of Jones’ net worth the $250,000 fine represents.
Key Background
The NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy in 2022 said owners “have traditionally been held to a higher standard and will be subject to more significant discipline when violations of the Personal Conduct Policy occur.” Billionaire Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper was fined $300,000 last year for throwing a drink at Jacksonville Jaguars fans. Tepper said he regretted his behavior and was not disciplined in any other way besides the fine, which represented just 0.0015% of his $20 billion in wealth at the time, according to The Washington Post. Former Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams was fined $250,000 over an obscene gesture made during a game against the Buffalo Bills in 2009.
Further Reading
NFL fining Cowboys’ Jerry Jones $250K for gesture (Forbes)
Billionaire Panthers Owner David Tepper Fined $300,000 For Throwing Drink At Jaguars Fans (Forbes)